Catch Me If You Can (2002)

A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr., who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars' worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Jeff Nathanson (screenplay), Frank Abagnale Jr. (book),

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Frank Abagnale Jr.
Tom Hanks	...	Carl Hanratty
Christopher Walken	...	Frank Abagnale
Martin Sheen	...	Roger Strong
Nathalie Baye	...	Paula Abagnale
Amy Adams	...	Brenda Strong
James Brolin	...	Jack Barnes
Brian Howe	...	Earl Amdursky
Frank John Hughes	...	Tom Fox
Steve Eastin	...	Paul Morgan
Chris Ellis	...	Special Agent Witkins
John Finn	...	Assistant Director Marsh
Jennifer Garner	...	Cheryl Ann
Nancy Lenehan	...	Carol Strong
Ellen Pompeo	...	Marci

Storyline

An FBI agent hunts down a young con artist who successfully impersonated an airline pilot, doctor, and assistant attorney general, cashing more than $2.5 million in fraudulent checks in 26 countries.

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Plot Keywords:

fbi | pilot | doctor | attorney | fbi agent | 

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Taglines:

Catch them this christmas

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief language

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 December 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Atrápame si puedes

Filming Locations:

3077 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$52,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$571,446 (Japan) (4 April 2003)

Gross:

$9,493,232 (Japan) (9 May 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Kemp Company, Splendid Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Max Spielberg:  Steven Spielberg's son, sitting behind Leonardo DiCaprio during both parts of the airplane scene.

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Goofs

A number of large blue production tents are seen in the reflection of the bank window outside right before Frank sees the PanAm pilot and stewardesses exit a cab.

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Quotes

Frank Abagnale Sr.: You know why the Yankees always win, Frank?
Frank Abagnale, Jr.: 'Cause they have Mickey Mantle?
Frank Abagnale Sr.: No, it's 'cause the other teams can't stop staring at those damn pinstripes.

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Crazy Credits

During the first thirty seconds of the credits we hear the FBI typewriters.

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Connections

Referenced in Stuck on You (2003)

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Soundtracks

"I've Got The World On A String"
Written by Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler
Performed by Teddy Wilson, Milt Hinton & Oliver Jackson
Courtesy of LRC Ltd.

User Reviews

Very good film has those Spielberg edges!

At first I thought I was going to see a lightweight film from a great director but instead I watched another impressive achievement by Steven Spielberg. A few things stand out and of course the performances are terrific. Leonardo Dicaprio is believable as a guy that can convince people that he's someone else. Dicaprio is a charmer and is very smooth as we watch his character do some fancy talk to the young ladies. Tom Hanks as the FBI agent reminds me of his cynical character that he played in "A League of Their Own" and his mere presence adds more to this film. The sign of a great film star. And Christopher Walken gives one of his best performances in his already interesting career. The last scene of him as he talks to his son in the restaurant is so moving that it reflects on the great talent of Walken. You can understand why Dicaprio admires and loves his father. Walken conveys these emotions and makes the audience react just accurately. I'll be rooting for him at Oscar time. Another impressive thing about this film is the beautiful cinematography by Janusz Kaminski who's a real artist with a camera and has worked on several Spielberg films. One shot in particular stands out. The ray of sunshine coming in through the kitchen window on Walken. Very thought provoking. And of course since its a Spielberg film its very personal. Spielberg was interested in the Frank Abagnale character because as a youngster he also came from a broken family and wanted to be someone else. Spielberg would sneak onto the studios and tell people that he worked there. Also, the real Frank Abagnale jr. appears as a French police officer. Well made, extremely well acted and sharply written. Viewers seem to forget that this is really a film about the breaking up of a family and the aftermath. This really is a personal film from Spielberg, and a very good one.